Monthly Board Meeting, Feb. 23, 10, 6:00 PM

February 23, 2010, meeting minutes
Date: February 25, 2010

1. Establish a Quorum/Roll Call—Present: Richard Muny (804W), Vice President; Joseph Metelski (701 E), Treasurer; Robert Beck (102W), Secretary, Robert Klamo (602E), Director; Millie Kelley (402E), Director; Leon Bradlow (403W), Director Absent: Drago Kahanu (501W), President
2. Call to Order—6:15 PM by Vice President Richard Muny
3. Approval of January 26, 2010, minutes—Motion to waive reading minutes made by Joe Metelski seconded by Leon Bradlow. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to accept minutes made by Richard Muny and seconded by Joe Metelski. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Financial Report—Treasurer Metelski stated that Island Towers is in pretty good shape financially. Specifically, with the purchase of the new TV in the clubhouse, the Master is slightly over budget. However, both East and West Tower expenditures are within limits. Treasurer Metelski also brought up a general concern with the seemingly growing number of large thefts of condominium associations’ funds. He stated that CA is bonded, and also there is an engagement letter in effect to begin our annual audit in late February or early March. Both of these factors serve as safeguards for IT Association funds.
5. Property Management’s Report—Steve reported that a pool plumbing repair and irrigation system repairs have been made. Further, the local Fire Marshall reported various infractions that will have to be addressed. These included the modification or removal of the stove in the clubhouse, installation of door closers on many doors, and improper pool gate(s). Steve will talk to the fire department and address specific questions. We have thirty days from the Feb. 8 date on the report to make the needed changes or communicate a plan as to how we will address the infractions.
6. Unfinished Business
-Curbing Installation—Steve wants to set up a meeting w/Board members to walk through the property and clarify exactly what we want before the March meeting. This item was tabled until the March meeting.
-Sidewalk Repairs near Seawall—Motion made by Joe Metelski to accept bid by G.A. Nichols Company at $24, 410.00. Motion seconded by Millie Kelley. Motion passed unanimously.
-Concrete Curbs near Walkways—Board agreed to abandon this project in lieu of the water drainage system mentioned below.
-East and West Tower Drainage—Steve suggested that the Board meet with the contractor/engineer (G.A. Nichols) to review his proposal for a drainage system.
-Canoe and kayak storage—tabled until March meeting.
-Clean and seal pool deck pavers also pavers in front of clubhouse—tabled until March meeting
-Pool coping problem—serious cracks have appeared. Steve has two repair proposals: Gemstone $2690.00 and Pool Works $650.00. Motion: We will go with Pool Works as long as they meet the specifications of the other bid (Gemstone) and do not exceed the bid amount of Gemstone ($2690.00). Motion was made by Joe Metelski and seconded by Bob Beck. Motion passed 6 to 1.
-Pool Fence—Tabled until we get more information to study. There are two issues: the fire department regulations and trespassers. Steve will get more information.
-Pool Heater—Bob Klamo organized several more field trips for IT residents to view the YMCA geothermally heated and cooled pool in Palm Harbor. Also, Bob will set up a meeting with the principals of Egg Geothermal and any interested IT residents. The meeting will probably be Wednesday, March 3 at 3:00 PM in the clubhouse.
7. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Bob Beck seconded by Joe Metelski. Motion passed unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.

NOTE: Audio recording of the February 23, 2010, IT Board Meeting is on file and available in the Association office.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Beck, secretary
IT Association Board of Directors

Water Main Break

The repair work on the causeway may take several days.
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Water pressures in Dunedin have been reduced city-wide in response to a water main break.
The county was doing construction by the Causeway Bridge, (immediately off the drawbridge) when crews drilled into a water main located underwater.
Dunedin City Manager Rob DiSpirito said the water main is a challenge to fix because of its location. The repair work may take several days.
"You can't fix a line that underwater and that deep in the sediment," he said. "It has to be bypassed or replaced."
Repairs could cost up to $750,000. The public is being asked to conserve water. The county said the water is safe to drink and use.
Friday at 2 p.m., officials will meet with residents of Royal Stewart Arms, a condo complex at the end of the Causeway, to keep them updated as water interruptions may arise during repairs.

LOW WATER PRESURE AND FIRE PUMPS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY

LOW WATER PRESURE AND FIRE PUMPS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY: The city is working on a water line and have supposedly installed a by pass line while the work get done. However, the pressure is not as high as normal. The result are low water pressure, especially as in the higher floors, brown water, and the fire pumps running at an abnormally high rate. Piper has been contacted to work on the fire pumps; however, there is no solution for the low water pressure other than waiting for the City to finish their work.

Minutes of Board Meeting, Jan 26, 10.

1. Establish a Quorum/Roll Call—Drago Kahanu (501 W), President; Richard Muny (804W), Vice-President; Joseph Metelski (701 E), Treasurer; Robert Beck (102W), Secretary, Robert Klamo (602E), Director; Millie Kelley (402E), Director; Leon Bradlow (403W), Director
2. Call to Order—Immediately following the reconvened General Residents’ Meeting, the January Directors’ Meeting was called to order at 6:02 P.M.
3. Approval of the November 24, 2009, minutes. Motion to waive reading made by Millie Kelley and seconded by Joseph Melelski. Motion carried unanimously. Motion to approve minutes made by Richard Muny and seconded by Joseph Metelski. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Financial Report—Joseph Metelski We have the money to pay the insurance and will do it. We are about 3% under budget for the entire year of 2009. Joe stated that he and Drago had a meeting with Condominium Associates to review /update our financial situation and determined there were funds to complete the current project list.
5. Property Management’s Report:
New pool pump installed
Underwater pool lights repaired
Dock lights were repaired
Island Towers sign light repaired
Post lights in front of buildings repaired
Palm trees trimmed and one tree removed
6. Unfinished Business
$50,000 in projects was previously tabled. According to President Kahanu, we’ll start going through this “log jam.”
Curbing Installation: Tabled
Sidewalk Repairs near Seawall: Waiting for All Phase Paving estimate. However, Board approved up to $15,500 or less when bid comes in. Sidewalk will not be adjoining seawall. Motion made by D. Kahanu, seconded by B. Beck. Motion carried unanimously.

Pool Fence: All bids are in. Board approved the project with the following specifications: a 4 foot fence, 2 gates instead of 4, commercial aluminum fencing, picket style, powder-coated white with a second coat of paint if possible. Award to lowest adjusted bid. Motion made by D. Kahanu, seconded by Richard Muny. Motion carried unanimously.

Downspout Box: Option #3 ( Concrete Encasement Bench with one side), which was recommended by the Roof Committee was approved by the Board. Motion made by D. Kahanu and seconded by R. Klamo. Motion
was carried unanimously. ($8693.00)

Concrete Curbs near Walkways: Tabled until all bids are received.

Pool Heaters: The pool committee is composed of Bob Klamo, Jim Duffy, Geri Bixler, Bob Beck and John Richardson. Bob Klamo made a presentation on what the committee has determined to date. Our current heating system is out of date and may not work anymore. Also, the cost to use it is believed to be extremely high. In researching options to improve the heating system, the committee determined that a geothermal heating system would be the most cost effective over the long run. John Richardson reviewed the cost structure. The initial cost would be high ($123,000); however, the operational cost would be extremely low ($7,000/ year). He stated that this was a total cost that includes legal contingencies, etc. He further emphasized that our pool heating system is obsolete and that it is a Board decision to restore it. Someone else stated the realtors were advertising the pool as being heated which was deceptive. Bob Beck stated that because the heating system doesn’t work the pool is not used for around five to seven months out of the year. Dick Muny suggested that we get a legal opinion on who should make the decision, the Board or the Membership. The rest of the Board agreed. Drago Kahanu stated that he would contact the attorney and get a determination. He thanked the pool committee for their work and stated they had provided the Board with more information than it has ever had before. He stated that with the completion of the renovations, Island Towers was now one of the best places to live in the area and that fixing the heating problem would further enhance the value/desirability of the property. He further stated that the report was a starting point and the next step should be an opinion from the attorney on how to proceed.

Canoe/kayak rack: Tabled

Bar Cabinet: Bid awarded to Blue Chip Construction ($1695.00) Motion made by R. Muny and seconded by R. Klamo. Motion carried unanimously.

Water Pipe Cover: Bid awarded to Blue Chip Construction ($245.00). Motion made by D. Kahanu and seconded by R. Klamo. Motion carried unanimously.

East and West Tower Drainage: Tabled

Clean and Seal Pool Deck Pavers also Pavers
In Front of Clubhouse: Tabled

7. New Business:
Flood insurance renewal: We will be getting a 12% rebate. The total
rebate for both policies is $4200.36 (200-- $2114.28, 300--$2086.08)
Damage claim for 603W: No reimbursement to the owners of 603W will be made at this time since Class Appliance Service found the refrigerator in question did not start because two components in the compressor failed. Also, the owner of T. Mickey McGee Electric Service, Michael Duffy, has written a letter on file which states that the company proposed and completed the job without turning off breakers in the electrical panels. Steve has sent a letter to the unit owners advising them of his findings.
Jose 2’s Salary Review: Board voted unanimously to raise Jose 2’s
hourly rate to $12.00/ hr. He has not gotten a raise since he started
working for us two and a half years ago. Motion made by D. Muny,
seconded by B. Klamo. Motion carried unanimously.
Vehicle Parking: a unit owner in the East Building is purchasing vehicles for resale and storing them in our parking lot. If we can’t stop him, we have to start towing the vehicles out.
Purchase of flat screen TV for clubhouse: TV cost $1550. We still need to get a stand and HD DVD player.
Unit Owners’ Letters and Concerns: Jodie Canon (102 E) had a leak that damaged personal property in the unit. Steve said that our laws state that it is the unit owner’s responsibility to pay for the repairs and that the Association is prohibited from paying for the damages.
Adjournment: Motion made by B. Klamo and seconded by D. Muny.
Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert W. Beck, secretary
Island Towers Association

President/Property Mgr's Meeting, Jan 29, 10

Discussed the following items:

1. Weekly checks: Kate will handle getting the checks signed. She’ll call to set up appointment.

2. 603W- Refrigerator Issue: Steve will send the owners a final disposition letter when he returns from vacation. The final determination was that the refrigerator failed on its own.

3. Warranty Work on certain Balconies: Signed contract for security personnel to accompany the workers into the units. Steve has posted notices of the work schedule, and sent letters to the owners of the balconies that will be reworked. The work will be done the weeks of Feb 15, & Feb 25, 10, and will run Monday through Thursday each week.

4. Baseboard repairs: Blue Chip has gotten request from 8 unit owners to repair their baseboard of the interior wall of the front door. The work will be done during the same period as the warranty work on the balconies. Blue Chip will coordinate with the individual owners.

5. Jose-2’s raise: Advised Steve that the Board voted unanimously to increase his rate to $12.00/hour.

6. Sidewalk & curbs around carport: All Phase quoted $26,671. This is higher than the other quote we received.

7. Bar Cabinet: Steve notified Blue Chip that he would be awarded the contract to replace the bar cabinet. Steve wants a meeting with Blue Chip on Wednesday, Feb 10, 10, to finalize what will be done.

8. Time clock: Still looking for a time clock under $200.

9. 305W-Leak behind shower wall: The leak was in the pipes behind the shower wall. The water drained onto the ceiling of the unit below, and destroyed the bathroom ceiling in 205W. Per Steve, in accordance with our documents, the Association is responsible for repairing any damage to exterior walls. We are required to restore the exterior wall out to the sheet rock. Anything beyond that is the responsibility of the unit owner. The owner of 305W will be charged for all the cost of repairs.

10. American Express card: The association received an application for the American Express card. I told Steve to go ahead and apply for the card, because I thought it would be more convenient than have multiple cards. We have it on the agenda for the February Board Meeting

11. Water level in the pool: Rick’s Pool Service had been lowering the pool water level in order to replace a portion of pipe that is leaking.

12. Lock for Clubhouse TV: told him to get a lock for the clubhouse TV. Also, to contact Blue Chip and see if they can suggest an additional kind of locking frame for the TV.

False Alarm - No leak in the pool.

Rick's pool service just informed us that they have purposely lowered the water level in the pool in order to fix a pipe leak. So as Paul Harvey always says, "now you know the rest of the story."

Leak in water pipe to pool.

I talked with Steve just now and let him know that the level of the pool was down significantly. He said that the night of the board meeting the pool was overflowing and he turned off the water. For the water level to decline that much in a day and a half means there is a serious leak somewhere in the system. He will focus on that immediately, and will probably need to call a company that surveys for leaks. He also stated that the Dunedin Water Department informed him that we are losing 50 – 100 gallons per hour at night (this is from new metering system used by the DWD).